Method of and apparatus for treating teeth



Naf. 23, 1943.

E. l. EQKFELDT METHOD oF ANDAPPARATUS FOR TREATING TEETH Filed July 26,..1940

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Patented Nov.' 23, 1943 METHO OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATIN G TEETH EdgarL. Eckfeldt, Ambler, Pa. Application July 26, 1940,I Serial No. 347,594

y 9 claims.

Natural tooth enamel is the hardest substance present in the human bodyand its function is to protect the teeth.

Dental trouble, inthe majority of cases, com-4v mences when, for somereason, the continuity l of the enamel is disturbed.

In so far as I am aware, no method has heretofore been devised forrestoring the original value of .a tooth in which the natural enamel hasbeen broken through. Dental fillings help to restore the tooth but donot make a continuous surface with the surface of the tooth and aboundary is present where further decay tends to commence. The fillingsas now employed have little, if any, adhesive action, and the cavitymust be undercutto retain the filling in place.

The llings in time must be replaced, necessitating further grinding andweakening of the tooth, andv in some-cases disease of the pulp. Afurther disadvantage in present methods is that a filling formed ofamalgam is often unsightly and it has a tendency to discolor the toothor give to it a darker appearance.

With the foregoing in view, my invention comprehends a novel method ofand apparatus for restoring imperfect teeth to their normal and estheticfunctions.

It further comprehends a novel method of and apparatus for applying to atooth by a spraying action, an enamel coating which will be as hard orharder than the natural tooth enamel. The enamel coating adheres firmlyto the tooth, resists the action of bacteria and corrosive uids in themouth, and has substantially the same color and appearance as thenatural enamel The enamel may be applied in thin coatings or built;v upin layers to any desired thickness and becomes continuous with thenatural enamel of the tooth, thus restoring the tooth substantially toits normal condition.

Novel steps of the method and other novel features of construction andadvantage will hereinafter appear in the vdetailed description and theappended claims.

For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, I have shown in theaccompanying drawing a typical embodiment of it, which, in practice,will give satisfactory and reliable results. It is, however, to -beunderstood that the various instrumentalities of which my inventionconsists can be variously arranged and organized and my invention is notlimited to the exact arrangement and organization of theseinstrumentalities as herein set forth.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus smaller percentages ofcalcium carbonate, mag'y for fusing and spraying synthetic enamel, metalor the like on natural teeth, and illustrating a manner of practising mynovel method.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the spraying mechanism.

Figure 3 is an exploded View of means for adjusting a synthetic enamelrod.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a portion ofthe rod feeding and adjusting mechanism.

Figure 5 is a sectional View, the section being v taken substantially online 5--5 of Figure 2.

Similar numerals indicate corresponding parts. Referring to the drawing:

The natural enamel of the tooth is approximately ninety per cent calciumphosphate with a nesium phosphate, calcium uoride and organic matter.Calcium phosphate melts 'at about 1660" C. and solidifies to form aglass like solid. In accordance with.this invention, a salt such ascalcium phosphate, or a 4mixture of salts which will form an enamel, orany suitable type of syn- `thetic enamel, is fused and deposited on thetooth as a molten spray. A wide variety of synthetic enamels may beusedand in some cases metals,

desired properties of the synthetic enamel can be controlled by varyingthe composition in accordance with the physical, chemical, and hygienicproperties desired.

The color or tint of 'the synthetic enamel can be varied to match thenatural'enamel.

The-physical form of the synthetic enamel before spraying depends on thedesign. ofsprayer employed.

Since it is necessary to heat the enamel to a high temperature to renderit molten, radiation of heat from the molten material will'beconsiderable, and one of the features of this invention is the controland disposal of heat from radiation.

Excessive heat must be removed in order to make possible oralmanipulation and this can be successfully done by Water or air cooling.

The enamel must be heated above its fusion temperature, and this can beaccomplished in different ways, for example by gas torch, electricalresistance heating, electric arc or by an electrical high frequencymethod.

For the purpose of illustration, a gas torch method hasbeen illustrated,and will now be described.

The spraying device shown has a casing I, terby a passage I0, to a.nozzle II in the atomizing chamber. VThe head is provided with passagesl2 and I3 opening into the atomizing chamber for condensate water whichis withdrawn through a suction discharge passage I4.

The supply of fuel and oxygen is controlled by a valve I5, and thesupply of air by a valve I6,Y said valves being of any desired orconventional construction.

' A rod of synthetic enamel Il is fed, in any de'- sired manner, intothe flame of the torch Where fusion of the enamel takes place locallyand the atomized enamel passes from the atomzing chamber through theconed discharge opening I8. The rod I1 of synthetic enamel may be fedbya clock work, an air turbine, an electric motor or other device. Ihave illustrated the drive as an electric motor I9 which through areducing gear arrangement 20 drives a worm 2|. which drives a gear 22 ona shaft 23 having a pinion 24 which drives a gear 25 on a cylinder 26which revolves but is prevented from longitudinal movement by the mannerin which it is mounted in the casing I. An inner cylinder 21 is fixed tothe casing and has a longitudinal slot 28 into which pins 29, ilxed to arod carrier 30, extend.

The rod carrier 30 is inthe form of a sleeve 35 having a pin 3l whichextends into a spiral slot 32 in a rotatable cylinder 33 having ashoulder 34 at its lower end. between which and the cylinder 26, aspring 35 is interposed. The cylinder 34 has a fixed spline whichextends into a longitudinal groove 31 in the cylinder 26-so, that thecylinder 26 may be pushed upwardly suiliciently to disengage the gear 25from its driving pinion 24 f when a quick adjustment of the rod I1relatively to the torch 'I is desired. 45

'Ihe rod may have a friction t in its carrier or secured thereinin anydesi-red or conventional manner. f l

The discharge opening I8 and the atomizing chamber are water cooled sothat excess heat will be absorbed, thus making it practicable to work,if necessary, inside the patients mouth. The condensate due tocombustion is withdrawn through discharge passage I4 which is connectedwith a conventional suction creating device not shown.

A re resisting shield 38 is-preferably used on a tooth 39 to be treatedso as to expose t0 the sprayer only the Varea to b e coated. This shieldserves to catch excess spray, to deflect any residual heat and air fromthe interior of the mouth, and 60 to protect the patient from vanycontingency arising in conjunction with the use of the device.

The method of operation will now be clear to those skilled in this artandis as follows:

The cavity or surface tobe treated is cleaned to remove any decayedregion, andthe surface may be roughened if desired. A suitable substancemay be applied to the cavity or surface to increase adhesion and toprepare the tooth for the coating of synthetic enamel. The area to becoated is carefully dried, the shield placed in position andconventional means employed for removing saliva.

In cases where., it is necessary to Work close to the gums. or the toothis sensitive. local anesthesia may be used to deaden the area to pain,and if a patient is excessively nervous general anesthesia may beadministered. The synthetic enamel is sprayed on the area and adheresverystrongly to the tooth, blending with the natural 'enamel surroundingthe area treated. The synthetic enamel is built up to the 'proper depth,and, in case of a cavity, a plug of proper composition may be insertedto partially fill the cavity to reduce the volume of spray necessary tocomplete the tooth, or the entire cavity may be filled with enamel,

thereby materially strengthening the tooth.

After the synthetic coating has been applied, its surface in many caseswill be satisfactory without further treatment, but the contour can beadjust( ed by grinding and polishing.

In some cases, the natural enamel of. the teeth is faulty, and not onlygives an unsightly appearance but also endangers the teeth. Thiscondition can be readily corrected by my method by applying a smoothsynthetic enamel coating to the teeth. Molars having deep fissuresinwhich decay commences can be coated so that there will be no crevicesfor'bacteria.

My method also provides for restoring broken or worn-down teeth. A toothwhich has been broken off maybe built up to its original shape withsynthetic enamel, and the contour adjusted by grinding.

Teeth that have worn down have the soft dentine exposed and a coating ofsynthetic enamel gives such a tooth a hard grinding surface and restoresthe contour of the original tooth.

If the teeth have an unattractive color, the color can be changed byspraying on synthetic enamel, and this method can be used where thecolor of one or more teeth do not match the other teeth.

Substances may be added to the enamel to act as a. medicant, and specialagents added to correct mouth infection.

If desired, a controllable manhole 40 can be provided in the head 2, tofacilitate removal of the rod I1. l

Any desired form of spray tip may be inserted in the discharge openingto direct the spray at a desired angle.

The fuel and oxygen pipes maybe controlled at their sources of supply toprovide the desired fuel mixture or each pipe' may have its ownindependent valve, as will be clear without illustration to thoseskilled in this art.

The synthetic enamel may be iiush with and blend with the natural enamelof the supporting tooth.

It will be apparent that the application of synthetic enamel, having thecharacteristics of the natural enamel, to a tooth in the mouth ofpatient is radically different fromthe methods heretofore employed.

The synthetic enamel is in a molten condition and not in the form of adough-like mass or plastic. The enamel in a molten condition is atomizedto the part of the tooth to be treated, and a very thin surface can beapplied or it can be builtuprto any desired thickness. Since -thesynthetic enamel has the same characteristics as that of. the naturalenamel, it will blend with the natural enamel without showing a dividingline.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to'secure by Letters Patent is:

1. 'I'he method of restoring the enamel 'of natural, imperfect teeth. inthe mouth of a patient,

which consists in fusing in a conned space a synthetic enamel havingsubstantially the characteristics of the natural enamel of the tooth.and atomizing Within said confined space the fused synthetic enamel andpassing the fused enamel in an atomized condition from said space toimpinge against the surface of the tooth which is to be restored. z

2. The method of treating natural teeth, which consists in cleaning outand drying a cavity in thetooth, fusing in a confined space a syntheticenamel, and atomizing Within said confined space the fused syntheticenamel and passing the fused enamel in an atomized condition from saidconilned space into the cavity to fill the cavity-and form a fiushsurface with the natural enamel of the tooth.

3. The method-of treating natural teeth, which consists in cleaning outand drying a cavity to be filled, fixing a plug in the cavity topartially filll it, and then covering the plug by fusing and atomizingin a conned space synthetic enamel and passing the fused enamel in anatomized condition from said confined spaceover the plug to form asurface of synthetic enamel ush with the natural enamel of the tooth.

4. The method of treating natural teeth, which consists in cleaning outa cavity in a tooth, and

fusing and atomizing synthetic enamel into the cavity, and shieldingthemouth of the patient from the heat of the spray and confining thespray to the cavity.

5. The method of restoring an imperfect, natural tooth to its originalcondition, which consists in building up the tooth to substantially itsoriginal contour by fusing and atomizing in a confined space syntheticenamel and impinging the fused enamel by the action of atomization onthe tooth.

6. The method of treating natural teeth, which consists in fusingsynthetic enamel in a chamber, cooling the chamber, and atomizing Withinthe chamber the fused enamel to cause it to pass by the action ofatomization from the chambe: upon the tooth to be treated.

7. The method of treating natural teeth, which consists in fusingsynthetic enamel in an atomizing chamber, atomizing within the chamberthe fused enamel and passing the spray from the chamber, and cooling thewalls of the chamber and the atomized spray during its passage from saidchamber.

8. The method of treating teeth in the mouth of a patient, whichconsists in fusing a suitable material for treatment of a tooth,atomizing the fused material upon the tooth to be treated and shielding-the mouth of the patient and portions surrounding the tooth beingtreated from the heat of the atomized material.

9. The method of treating natural teeth, which comprises fusingsynthetic enamel in a chamber, atomizing within the chamber the fusedenamel, passing the atomized enamel from the chamber, cooling the wallsof the chamber and the atomized spray during its passage from thechamber, directing the atomized enamel upon the tooth to be treated, andshielding the mouth of the patient and portions surrounding the toothbeing treated from the heat of the process.

EDGAR L. ECKFELDT.

